- In Massachusetts, most state, county and municipal offices are closed on Patriot’s Day.
- Since Patriot’s Day is not a federal holiday, federal offices will be open on Monday.
- There will also be various road closures and parking restrictions on Monday for both Patriot’s Day and the Boston Marathon.
April 21 is Patriot’s Day, a special holiday in Massachusetts that commemorates the state’s role in the American Revolution.
The third Monday in April each year recognizes the battles of Lexington and Concord, which were the start to the Revolutionary War. The holiday was originally held on April 19, which is the anniversary of these battles. This year is the 250th anniversary.
In Massachusetts, most state, county and municipal offices are closed on Patriot’s Day. There are typically celebrations in Boston and throughout the state, including reenactments of the battles in Lexington and Concord.
The Boston Marathon is also held on Patriot’s Day each year, which will affect road closures on that day.
What’s open on Patriot’s Day in Massachusetts?
Since Patriot’s Day is not a federal holiday, federal offices will be open on Monday.
Other places that will likely be open are:
- Post offices
- Federal courts
- Most retailers, including Target and Walmart
- Most banks
- Supermarkets
- Liquor stores
- Restaurants
- Gyms
Most MBTA routes will run on a weekday schedule. To accommodate the marathon, the bus will run on a modified Saturday schedule and the Worcester Commuter Rail will run a special marathon schedule.
What’s closed on Patriot’s Day in Massachusetts?
As a state holiday, state and municipal offices will be closed on Patriot’s Day.
Other places that will be closed are:
- Public schools
- The RMV
- State and municipal courts
- Libraries
Some Massachusetts-based businesses also give employees the day off work.
Patriot’s Day and Boston Marathon road closures
There will also be various road closures and parking restrictions on Monday for both Patriot’s Day and the Boston Marathon.
The city of Boston will hold a Patriot’s Day Parade on Monday, starting at City Hall Plaza at 9:15 a.m. Information about the parade route and parking restrictions is available on the City of Boston’s website here.
The Boston Marathon route will be closed for different periods of time Monday depending on how far the race has progressed.
For example, Main Street and Route 135 in Hopkinton (the start of the race) will be closed from 7:15 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Route 135 and Route 16 in Wellesley (the halfway point) will be closed from 8:30 a.m. to 3:35 p.m., and Hereford, Boylston, and other Boston streets used by the marathon (the end) will be closed until 7 p.m.
The Boston Athletic Association provided this chart for the marathon course road closures.
LOCATIONTIME OF CLOSUREHopkinton7:15 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.Ashland7:15 a.m. – 1:20 p.m.Framingham7:30 a.m. – 1:55 p.m.Natick8:30 a.m. – 2:45 p.m.Wellesley8:30 a.m. – 3:35 p.m.Newton8:00 a.m. – 4:45 p.m.Brookline9:00 a.m. – 5:45 p.m.BostonVariable – 7:00 p.m.
The BAA also says to look at specific city and town official websites for more details.
The City of Boston also has a list of parking restrictions for the marathon.
